Date:24/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/24/stories/2007092455621700.htm

Sport - Tennis

Roddick puts U.S. in final

GOTHENBURG: Andy Roddick swept the United States into the Davis Cup final here on Sunday, defeating Sweden’s Jonas Bjorkman in straight sets.

The American’s 6-2, 7-6(3), 6-4 win over the veteran home player in the first of the reverse singles gave Patrick McEnroe’s team an unbeatable 3-1 lead.

Roddick won the opening singles on Friday against Joachim Johansson 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/3), 6-3, while Thomas Johansson levelled for the Swedes by beating James Blake 6-4, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

On Saturday Bob and Mike Bryan put the visitors ahead again by winning the doubles against Borkman and Simon Aspelin 7-6 (13/11), 6-2, 6-3.

“It’s a big dream come true and I have so much respect for the Swedish team,” said Roddick.

“I think we have the right team to win and I am exited to have the opportunity.”

Roddick, who lost to Roger Federer in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open before coming to Sweden, always looked to have too much power and pace for Bjorkman who got the nod from Swedish captain Mats Wilander ahead of Thomas Johansson.

The results (semifinals):

At Moscow: Russia 2 Germany 2 [M. Youzhny bt P. Petzschner 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3].

At Goteborg: Sweden 1 lost to United States 3 [Jonas Bjorkman lost to Andy Roddick 2-6, 6-7(3), 4-6; Simon Aspelin & Jonas Bjorkman lost to Bob Bryan & Mike Bryan 6-7(11), 2-6, 3-6].

Playoffs:

At Prague: Czech Republic 2 vs. Switzerland 2 [T. Berdych lost to R. Federer 6-7(5), 6-7(10), 3-6].

At Innsbruck: Austria 4 beat Brazil 1 [J. Melzer bt R. Mello 3-6, 6-4, 7-5; W. Eschauera lost to Sa 4-6, 3-6].

At Belgrade: Serbia 3 beat Australia 1 [Novak Djokovic bt Chris Guccione 6-3, 7-6(3), 7-6(5)].

At London: Britain 4 beat Croatia 1 [A. Murray bt R. Karanusic 6-4, 7-6(4); J. Baker lost to M. Cilic 4-6, 4-6]. — Agencies